City of Minneapolis Residential Infill Text Amendment

Purpose

The intent of the Infill Text Amendment is to draft reasonable standards that result in improved outcomes for all Minneapolis neighborhoods and residents.

Background

On March 7, an interim ordinance was passed in the City of Minneapolis that temporarily paused the demolition and new construction of single and two-family dwellings in five neighborhoods (Linden Hills, Fulton, Armatage, Kenny, and Lynnhurst) experiencing a rapid pace of demolition and construction of new homes. The City Council lifted the ordinance in April upon the establishment of a construction management agreement addressing relatively urgent public safety and livability issues related to residential demolition and new construction. In conjunction with the interim ordinance being lifted, City Council directed City staff to conduct research on revisions to existing standards that govern 1-4 unit residential construction.

Since March, a team of interdepartmental City planners have been researching the regulations that govern residential construction based on the feedback received from Ward 13 residents who participated in neighborhood focus groups, members of the AIA Residential Architects Committee and additional architectural experts. The areas include (but are not limited to) site plan review standards, building height and floor area, required yards, building coverage and impervious surface, and urban form and character.

Based on this research, City planning staff has is producing draft ordinance text intended to update existing regulations that address residential infill construction to ensure that new construction better aligns with the policy objectives outlined in the City’s comprehensive plan.

Upcoming Meetings and Amendment Review Schedule

An overview of the draft Residential Infill Text Amendment was presented to the City Planning Commission Committee of the Whole (CPC CoW) on June 26, 2014 for initial review and feedback. The CPC CoW is the working group of the City Planning Commission. Their meetings are intended to give City staff and applicants the chance to discuss proposals in a forum outside of the formal public hearing process. There is no opportunity for public comment at this meeting.

Public Meetings

Three public meetings were held to solicit feedback from industry representatives and the community.

On August 21, 2014, the Zoning & Planning Committee of the City Council considered the recommendation of the City Planning Commission and recommended additional changes. City Council adoption is expected on August 29, 2014, with an effective date of October 1, 2014.